A Royal Navy engineering officer has pulled off his 13th Helstonbury festival bringing together local and naval communities.

Paul Turton, naval air engineering petty officer, staged the event at The Blue Anchor, one of the oldest Inns in Britain.

The event boasted several stages where 2,000 people - fuelled by the pub’s own specially brewed beer ‘spingo’ - enjoyed more than 40 bands raising £4,500 for good causes around Helston.

Mr Turton started the festival in 2001 raising funds to help buy a new wheelchair for local schoolgirl, Lizzie Gwilliam.

This year’s event was a complete sell-out, with a third stage for special performances.

Many Culdrose and former navy personnel appeared in the bands and groups, including ‘Bobby’s Helmet’, ‘Riptide’, ‘Bone Shakin Babies’ and ‘The Quarter Pounders’, as well as The CuldRoses,’ RNAS Culdrose’s own military wives choir.

Hampered by bad weather the outdoor stage was closed forcing ‘Bobby’s Helmet’ to move inside, completing the show on Saturday evening.

“The event went brilliantly”, said Mr Turton. “It’s like Helston's own party, where everyone meets up, has a drink and listens to music. It’s a lot of fun to organise and seeing all these live acts makes it all worth while. A massive thank you has to go out to all the bands and artists who came along to support the festival and also the staff and the Blue Anchor for hosting us again”.

In the past the festival has helped the town’s brass band and budding musicians who cannot afford to buy instruments. Helstonbury is sponsoring Culdrose FC Youth football team during the 2013 - 14 season.